[linsjean]

About a week ago,I let FF update, then I started seeing a new tab constantly there that would not go away called "Internet Search" when I clicked on the tab it showed what looks a search engine. I must have downloaded something that included that add-on. I had someone help me to remove it, but it wouldn't go away.

Then I uninstalled and reinstalled a fresh copy of FF 13 (hmm, now I'm see 14). The Internet Serach tab is gone, but when I click on a new tab, I am seeing previews of every single website I go to. I can hide this I know, but that is hiding it from My view. I'm wondering if anyone else can view these things by hacking in. I did some research on this and saw one person posted in a forum that he could actually see his whole bank statement, with name, address, account number, username, all of it.

Should I be concerned about this. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Phantom010]

Are you referring to something like THIS?

[linsjean]

Phantom, this is exactly what I mean, but I followed the instructions, and my setting is already set to False.

What do you think now? You are the first one that has shown me where to find the settings for this, so I am impressed. Thanks!

[Phantom010]

You may have a corrupted Firefox profile:

Fixing Corrupted Profiles

[Phantom010]

If you do not feel like using the Destructive Method, I'd start by deleting prefs.js.

[linsjean]

Thanks, I was just wondering about that!

[linsjean]

Sorry, but what is the fastest way to delete that prefs.js ?? Where is it located? Is that in Instruction No. 2? of the link you gave me?

[Phantom010]

Read THIS and THIS.

[linsjean]

Thanks Phantom010,

It will take me a bit of time to read through all the material in the two links, but I will say this. I did click Run and typed in: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe -p and only a blank FF page came up. Did I type it in correctly? I checked and FF is located in that path.

I will read it more slowly and thoroughly when I get time. Thanks again.

[TOGG]

More information about Firefox privacy issues here; http://www.h-online.com/open/news/it...s-1647976.html

[linsjean]

Togg,

Thanks. But when I open a new tab and type in: browser.pagethumbnails.capturing_disabled I get "Server not found".

How do you honestly feel about this new tab that creates browsing history? Do you feel it is a risk? Do other browsers do this as well?

[TOGG]

That article is lacking in some detail and the 'fix' it suggests is definitely one for advanced users only. If you type 'about:config' in your address bar and accept the warning about the risks, you will see lots of detailed preferences. I am far from being an advanced user but I have in the past adjusted some preferences from 'true' to 'false' when it was advisable for security reasons.

However, I have never tried to create a new preference and wouldn't know where to begin. Firefox isn't my default browser so I don't use it much. I haven't noticed the behaviour you mentioned yet (I'm using 14), and so I'm not worried about it. If I did use FF a lot I would probably follow the advice about deleting this stuff every time the browser closes. As it is I already clear browser History and cookies etc on a daily basis.

It is my understanding that all browsers (and Windows itself) create log files of your activities all over the place and I just clear all the ones that are accessible to an 'ordinary' user like me!

[linsjean]

TOGG,

You say, "If I did use FF a lot I would probably follow the advice about deleting this stuff every time the browser closes." Well, how do I delete stuff fro my browser if my browser is closed? Or would you suggest that right before I close it out, I go to History and and delete the history. I'm sorry, I'm a rookie here. I just want to know the best plan to remove cookies and history from my browser every day I guess? I'm not used to doing that, but I can get in the habit of doing that. I want to reduce my risk for infections, spammers, tracking cookiies, etc.

I only use Malwarebytes, CCleaner, SuperAntiSpyware, Defrag, and I only have the free version of Avast for my anti-virus. And I run those about every two weeks, making sure I have updated the definitions and if there is an update.

What about Hijack this? How do you feel about that? I came here one time and someone suggested I copy/paste the log. Do you think it's time for me to do this on this site?

I just want to keep this older laptop until I can afford to buy a new one. Which reminds me, since I had problems before and had to do two total system restores, I lost everything, so I need to do a total back up again on my external HD. Even that is unorganized, I know don't yell at me. I just don't know how to do it properly with it all nice and tidy with categories and such, and I know I need to back up my bookmarks or Favorites on both browsers. First things first. I don't even have a fan underneath my laptop to get circulation, but I put a piece of board under the back end of my lappy so air can get to it because I have felt the metal part of my Laptop, like where the metal part is where the touch pad is (I also use an external KB) and it gets super hot and so does that middle transformer thing in the middle of my power plug.

I await further instructions. I so appreciate you guys volunteering your time to teach us dummies how to take care of our computers and keep them healthy. Mine is going on about 3.5 years old.

[Phantom010]

How to Clear Browsing History in Firefox

To have Firefox clear history automatically, scroll down that same page and read:

How do I make Firefox clear my history automatically?

[Triple6]

As an alternative, why not use Private Mode? Then it won't save anything when you close it and you start with no saved history, passwords, forms or anything each time you launch Firefox, you can even create a shortcut for it as described here: http://waynestorey.com/blog/2009/08/...browsing-mode/

However if you say you want to "reduce my risk for infections, spammers, tracking cookiies" this likely will have very little impact on that.

And yes, most other browsers have similar behaviour in one form or another.